MELBOURNE, Australia — If it seems as if there's always something going on with Novak Djokovic at Grand Slam tournaments, that's because there usually is. Even Djokovic himself acknowledged as much as he prepared to face Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open semifinals Friday after taking painkillers for a hurt left leg.

"I don't recall the last time it was any Slam without some form of drama, to be honest. I guess that's part of it. We are out here competing and giving our best to grab a Grand Slam title," said the 37-year-old Djokovic, who needed a medical timeout and got his leg taped while eliminating 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz in a quarterfinal that felt like a final to the winner.

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